GLORIOUS GOODWOOD: First Goodwood rides are just love-Lee

Graham Lee made his first trip to Glorious Goodwood one to remember by taking the Blue Square Bet Stewards’ Cup aboard Hawkeyethenoo.

The former jump jockey only made the transition to the flat at the beginning of the season but has barely looked back and had never even been to the track until Saturday.

However, his inexpereince of the undulations was far from evident as he took the £100,000 event by a nose from Imperial Guest. He also notched three second places on an incredible first Goodwood visit.

Lee said: “I didn’t know if I had won (in the photo finish) as I had my head down.

“It is grand to win a race like this and I am very lucky that trainers have given me a chance and that my body is allowing me to do it.

“I am overwhelmed. I am delighted and delighted for the horse especially because he deserved it. In my first season riding on the flat, this guy has taken my to some big places - he’s got me riding in the July Cup, the Wokingham and he has delivered here today. I am delighted for him.

“Jim (Goldie) has been great for me. He has given me great support and the horses haven’t been flying but it’s brilliant for this guy to get us off the cold list.

“Ihad to shed a lot of weight when I made the switch to the flat. The cardio side of things takes care of itself as I am so busy but the training is different. I am doing OK but I have to be disciplined like most of the lads.

“The change has given me a new lease of life and I am enjoying it and learning all the time.”

Hawkeyethenoo was named as one to watch by Channel 4’s Tanya Stevenson in an interview with the Observer and www.chichester.co.uk.

His trainer Jim Goldie said: “It’s worked out perfectly - for a northern trainer the race to win is the Ayr Gold Cup, which has a lot of history to it, but this is a clear second. [Two years ago] This horse ran well in Epsom’s Dash over five furlongs and handled the track, so I felt he had a chance.”

There was a last-day double for trainer Richard Fahey.

George Chaloner made his first ride at Goodwood a winning one as he scored aboard Johannes in the Get Your Bets on At bluesq.com Stewards’ Sprint Stakes - the first race on the final day.

The 7lb claimer was riding the 22/1 chance for Fahey, and his nine-year-old partner landed the six-furlong dash for the second time after winning the race in 2009.

And Jamesbo’s Girl continued on her upward curve when a game winner of the Bet On Your Mobile At bluesq.com Nursery for Fahey under Tony Hamilton. New Pearl finished half a length behind in second with a further one and three quarter lengths back to Jubilee Brig.

Jamesbo’s Girl had previously won a selling race at Thirsk in June and a claimer at Catterick on July 11.

An easy victory by the Sir Mark Prescott-trained Motivado in the Toyo Tires Performance Handicap was part of a plan to land York’s Betfred Ebor Handicap.

A very, tall horse by stallion Motivator, Motivado needed to win at Goodwood to gain a 5lb penalty and improve his chance of making the cut for York on August 25. Luke Morris duly drilled the gelding home by five lengths and a short head from A Boy Named Suzi and Solar Sky.

Meanwhile, jockeys Robert Winston, Luke Morris and Richard Hughes were given bans by the stewards for riding offences at Glorious Goodwood’s final day.

Winston was given a two-day ban on August 18 and 19 following his ride on unplaced Thunderball in The Get Your Bet On At bluesq.com Stewards’ Sprint Handicap. The stewards decided Winston’s mount had interfered with third-placed Seeking Magic who in turn impeded two other runners.

Morris’s victory on Motivado in The Toyo Tires Performance Handicap was tempered when he collected a four-day ban on August 18 to 21 inclusive. The jockey was found guilty of careless riding in that he manoeuvred his mount to the right, shifting unplaced Franciscan off his intended line.

Hughes was given a two-day ban for August 18 and 19 for careless riding following his victorious ride on The Fugue in the Markel Insurance Nassau Stakes.